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Budget impasse may imperil vote counting
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Posted on Feb 09 2001
The budget impasse for FY2000 appropriations has been persistently preventing the Board of Election from acquiring needed computers and tabulating machine to ensure smoother holding of electoral process this November.
Election Executive Director Greg Sablan yesterday disclosed that the administration and the Legislature are yet to release the requested $104,000 funding assistance despite persistent efforts of the BOE to immediately purchase needed equipment in preparation for the general election.
“It is so near and yet so far, we are waiting for the green light or whether or not we’re going to receive the money for the tabulating machine,” Mr. Sablan told reporters in an interview.
With the machine, tabulation will be more efficient and with lesser margin of error while the counting of ballot returns will be fast and easier, Mr. Sablan explained.
The BOE official hopes that the Legislature and the government will reach an agreement on the budget talks to release the needed money that would give BOE enough time to order the tabulating machines.
Mr. Sablan added personnel will have to undergo training and that specialists from the mainland US would have to be present during the election to help them sort out any possible mechanical and technical problems that may erupt.
Although measures are being up in place as early as now, BOE foresees possible problems that may result to manual counting of ballots and manpower shortage in the absence of the machines.
He said they will continuously work on the problem as he urged the government to release the funds for the procurement of the machine while BOE is laying down the ground work for the November election.
